We've bought a dead Alfa for a BEN charity run... but just what have we bought?

Published: 12 July, 2011

For those of you that haven't heard, we have decided to take part in a charity run down to Modena in Italy. The jaunt, entitled Bangers4BEN will see a number of teams from across the motor industry drive in cars they have picked up for around £200 and raising money on the way.

A report has been published that assesses the impact of the IMI's skills accreditation programme, known as Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA). The research covered accreditation programmes for a number of disciplines, from parts advisors to light vehicle technicians and customer service advisors.

Newly-qualified technician, John Couldridge, has secured a much-coveted place on Team UK at WorldSkills London 2011 where he will compete within the 'Automobile Technology' skills category against contemporaries from more than 50 other countries/regions in what is the largest global skills competition in the world.

After 13 years at Grange Business Park, Manbat - the UK's largest battery distributor - has relocated its Shrewsbury HQ 500 yards further along Lancaster Road and into a substantially larger site, which provides the room that the company needs as it continues to expand.

Victory in struggle to make VMs hand over part info in electronically readable form

Published: 24 June, 2011

The independent motor industry has heralded a major breakthrough, as new EU legislation is set to increase both the amount of information that vehicle manufacturers will have to hand over - as well as improving the way in which it is supplied.

There's a new suit at one of the OE manufacturers. Mr. Yoshikazu Makino takes over the position of president and CEO of Denso International in Europe, effective June 22, 2011. Mr. Makino replaces Mr. Shigehiro Nishimura, who is going to be in charge of the Asia Pacific region.

PARTS supplier Comline, has announced that the addition of an overnight third shift, which changes its warehouse into a 24 hour operation, has resulted in a 'monumental increase in productivity', outweighing the extra hours; which enables the business to manage a surge in UK and export sales.

THE Federation of Engine Remanufacturers has commended the actions of the Metropolitan Police after its officers raided a West London engine repair business in Southall last Thursday, but has admitted that it was powerless to act on complaints, as the business in question had never been a member.

As Delphi gains more OE common rail contracts, the company is turning its expertise to its aftermarket products as the vehicles come out of warranty. Recently, its Multec diesel common rail system was chosen for the DW10C engine, a shared platform for Citroen, Fiat, Ford and Peugeot diesel vehicles. A number of replacement items are available including a high pressure pump, injectors and an electronic control unit.

/>The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) teamed up with both professional and student photographers to put together this unique gallery of images to challenge existing perceptions of the industry with a range of modern photographic pictures that depict the full scope and scale of the sector and portray the advanced technologies and skills within it. The resulting pictures create an iconic series of images that depict the industry in all its for

The EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association) and FIGIEFA are looking to recruit a technical advisor to support its lobbying activities in Brussels; which aims to safeguard a legislative environment in the EU that provides fair competition in the automotive aftermarket.

/>The RMI’s initiative is to be called Trust My Garage. Speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the RMI on the 21st October, Paul Williams, chairman of the organisation, said that there will inevitably be conflict with existing schemes: “The RMI is supportive of the Motor Codes initiative and give [Motor Codes director] Chris Mason and his people all the support we can.

AFTERMARKET editor Tom Mallens was presented with a certificate of appreciation from automotive charity BEN at the Garage Equipment Association's annual dinner at the Birmingham Metropole on April 29th.

Ian Simpson, a marketing man at Warranty Direct, explained: "The thinking behind 'amber' sales is simple. Most competent dealers look at wear parts such as tyres and brakes during routine servicing and rank them on a red, amber and green scale. Green parts are fine, red need replacing now and amber have a little wear left. All of these are flagged up to the customer and most will OK the replacement of the red parts and wait on the amber.

Gates has expanded the number of replacement parts available for the accessory belt drive system. The programme includes OE equivalent multi-ribbed belts, all necessary metal components, tools, routing diagrams and technical bulletins to guide technicians.

ARE YOU searching for a long-deleted part? Anyone trying to track down a rare bargain will be pleased to hear that the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble will take place on the 14th and 15th May. The event, now in its 18th year, was in its early days somewhat in the shadow of its older sibling, the International Autojumble. However, in recent years it has gained its own identity and is just in time for the start of the classic show season.

rong>Over 1,500 applications are covered by only 118 wiper blade part references available from Denso. Products include standard, spoiler, curved and twin-screw options, covering more than 95% of the European car parc.